Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Proverbs

Observations Upon the Old Testament · Commentary · Proverbs

p. 272Proverbs.

THE Book of Proverbs contains the chief of those three thousand Proverbs which Solomon spake, 1 Kings IV. 32.

They are Proverbs and instructions of Piety, and Wisdome; and the Praises of it; with Exhortations to it, and Dehortations from the chief avocations and impediments of it, in the nine first chapters. All which serve well, as a large Preface and preceding Introduction. And then do follow Proverbs, or choyce sentences, foreign, or wise Apothegines, Solomons Ethicks, our Digesta, and Pandects; All of Morality, and prudential Civility, in the rest of the Book.

Wherein coherence of Sentences is not much minded: A Repetition of the same things, by reason of the several Collections of them, is found sometimes: And the verity of some of them, is not like that of Mathematical Theoremes; but consists in such a generality of truth, as stands good, and is so foreign, for the most part; And yet admits of alteration by variety of circumstances, and other incident occasions.

Throughout the Book, Solomon speaks, one while in his Owne name; Another while in his Fathers; Then in Wisdomes; Elsewhere, in his Mothers; and sometimes in Gods name.

It may seeme thus; That he speaks in his Owne name, Chapters I, II, III. He sets down the summe of his Father Davids Instructions, Chapters IV, V, VI, VII. Then brings in Wisdome speaking, Chapters VIII. IX. After he sets down those Proverbs of his Owne, which he had set in order in his Life-time, Chapters X,—XXIV. Then others are added that were gathered by the Servants of King Hezekiah, Chapters XXV,—XXIX. Then follows the Prophesie of Agur, Chap. XXX. And lastly, the Instruction which Solomons mother taught him, Chap, XXXI. So that the Collection was made by sundry; and at sundry times. For explanations, where most need shall be, I shall give some short touches; And therein willingly make choise to use such expressions as I can best judge in other Authors helpful this way: And by way of collection and contraction pick out the pith of them.

p. 273of Solomon] Of his wisdome, chapter I verse 1 see 1 Kings III. 12. and IV. 29, 30, 31. and X. 23, 24. Eccles. XII. 9, 10.

to give subtiltie] Sacred sagacitie, verse 4 a sharp wit, a deep reach, 1 Cor. II. 10. 2 Cor. III. 18.

The fear of the Lord] It is Wisdome it self, verse 7 Job XXVIII. 28. He sets it here in the Beginning; and he makes it the End of all, yea, the All of man, Eccles. XII. 13.

wisdome] The wisdome of God; verse 20 and Christ himself chiefly, Col. II. 3. 1 Cor. I. 30.

wisdome crieth] Iohn VII. 37. The Hebrew is, Wisdomes crieth. The plural number is here used, by way of excellencie, to denote the singular eminencie of the thing so spoken of. And so Behemoth, signifying beasts, for that singular beast, Iob XL. 15. And so, If I be masters, in the Hebrew, Mal. I. 6. And so likewise Elohim pluraly is used for one only God. Unlesse, by way of Ellipsis, we will take the meaning thus; the wisdome of wisdomes; the beast of beasts; the master of masters; the God of Gods. In like sense the plural is used, Lam. III. 22. Psal. LI 17. 2 Sam. XXII. 1.

and ye refused] This is a step towards the sinne unpardonable. verse 24. 26.

I also will laugh] Psal. II. 4. Then man hath cause to weep. The poyson of sinne thus working upon God, and Christ. Esay I. 24.

Then shall they call] Prov. verse 28 XXVIII. 9. 1 Sam. XXVIII. 6. Psal. XVIII. 41.

the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.] verse 32 Their prosperity are as gay cloaths, with a plague-soar in them. They shipwrack upon the sands of prosperity, as well as others do on the rocks of adversity.

quiet from fear of evil] Psal. verse 33 XLVI. 2, verse 3 3. verse 4

if thou criest] Hos. chapter II VI. 3. A dull suiter begs a denial.

and searchest for her] Till ye get all those dimensions of Knowledge, Ephes. III. 18. Rom. XV. 14.

who rejoyce to do evil] Who cannot be merry, verse 14 unlesse the Devil be their play-fellow, Ier. XI. 15.

none] For the most part, verse 19. 2. and so generaly.

Length of dayes] If a short life be not a blessing, chapter III as 1 Kings XIV. 13. Esay LVII. 1. when there is a fire in an house or a town, men carry out their jewels. But then God makes them up in his Cabinet, Malachi III. 17.

Be not wise] Bis desipit qui sibi sapit. verse 7. 11. ch. XXVI. 12.

the chastening] Is cited, Heb. XII. 5, 6. Schola crucis, schola lucis. Adversity is the best University.

she is a tree of life] Alluding to Gen. verse 18 II. 9. See XIII. 12. and XV. 4.

and happie is] The retainers of her. So in the Hebrew. And the meaning is well rendered in our English, every one that retaineth her. The like phrase and use of the plural, joyned with a singular, and in a distributive sense, in the Hebrew, is found, chap. XIV. 1. Gen. XLIX. 22. Exod. XVII. 12. and XXXI. 14. Iosh. II. 4. Job XII. 7. Psal. LXXIII. 7. Joel I. 20. 2 Kings V. 13.

p. 274The Lord by wisdome] By his essential wisdome, verse 19 by the Lord Christ, chap. VIII. 30. Apoc. III. 14. Heb. I. 2. Col. I. 16.

go, verse 28 and come again] foreign.

surely he scorneth the scorners▪ but he giveth grace to the lowly] Jam. verse 34 IV. 6. 1 Pet. V. 5. Those scorners are such through pride. And the grace here given is not meant of inward sanctifying grace, but of external favour, repute, and estimation with men. And so chap. I. 9. and IV. 9. Eccles. VII. 1. and chap. IX. 11. Luke II. 52. Acts II. 47. And so also may be understood, Luke I. 28. and Ephes. 1. 6.

scorneth] Psal, I. 1. chap. I. 22. and IX. 7, 8. See the Observations there. As also chap. IX. 12. and XIII. 1. Esay XXVIII. 14. and chap. XXIX. 20. Hos. VII. 5. 2 Pet. III. 3. Iude 18.

Only] Not borne; chapter IV verse 3 but beloved, by his mother, Bathshebah. His Father loved also other of his sonnes but too well.

He taught me] The substance of his Father Davids doctrine, verse 4 Solomon doth briefly set down to the tenth verse. And then proceeds in his own words.

Forsake her not] Falling Stars were never but Meteors. verse 6

with all thy getting] With any pains, verse 7 for any price. This gold cannot be bought too dear.

For they sleep not] Et si non aliquà nocuisset, verse 16 mortuus esset. verse 23

thy heart] This is the chief Monarch in this Isle of man, verse 25 c. XXIII. 26

Let thine eyes look right on] On right objects. If thine eye offend thee, pull it out of the old Adam, and set it in the New man: Else better to pul it out indeed.

Ponder] By the weight of the Sanctuarie. verse 26

feet] Affections. For by these maids, Satan wooes the Mistresse.

a strange woman] Verse 3,—23. chapter V verse 3 and chap. VI. 29. and chap. XXII. 14. and chap. XXIII. 27. and chap. XXIX. 3. Luke XV. 13.

Lest] She by her wayes labours to prevent this. verse 6

Lest strangers] Chap. verse 10 VI. verse 15 26. verse 16

own cisterne] Cant. IV. 12.

let thy fountains] Thy children by lawful marriage: or the good use of thy goods and wealth.

only thine own] Sow there where thou mayst reap, verse 17 and not another with thee.

if thou be surety] Of suretiship, chapter VI verse 1 see Prov. XI. 15. and chap. XVII. 18. and chap. XXII. 26. and XX. 16. and chap. XXVII. 13.

sluggard] Solomon is oft upon him in the Proverbs. verse 6 Once for all take it thus; He paints him out in this wise; Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, chap. VI 10. and chap. XIX. 15. and chap. XXIV. 33. whereupon he bespeaks him thus, How long wilt thou sleep O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? chap. VI. 9. and chap. XIX. 15. As the doore turneth upon his hinges, so doth a slothful man upon his bed, for all its turnings it hangs there still, chap, XXVI. 14. He hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieveth him▪ he is weary, he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again, chap. XIX. 24. p. 275and chap. XXVI. 15. and chap. XII. 27. His way is an hedge of thorns, chap. XV. 19. He saith, A lion is in the way, a lion is in the streets, ch. XXVI. 13. I shall be slain in the streets, chap. XXII. 13. a lion without, and a lazie lozel within. I went, saith Solomon, by the field of the slothful, and by the Vineyard of the man void of understanding. And lo, it was all grown over with thornes, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone-wall thereof was broken down, chap. XXIV. 30, 31. He will not plough by reason of the cold, chap. XX. 4. He rosteth not that which he took in hunting, chap. XII. 27. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoak to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him, chap. X. 26. His soul desireth, and hath nothing, chap. XIII. 4. his desire killeth him, for his hands refuse to labour, chap. XXI. 25. And so he is brother to him that is a great waster, chap. XVIII. 9. whereupon his poverty comes as one that travelleth, and his want as an armed man, chap. VI. 11. and ch. X. 4. and ch. XIX. 15. and ch. XX. 13. and XXIII. 21. and XXIV. 34. that he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing, chap. XX. 4. but be under tribute, XII. 24. and be clothed in rags. And yet this sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, then seven men that can render a reason, then the seven wise men of Greece, c. XXVI. 16. Howbeit the wise man here sends him to the Ant, to consider her wayes, and be wise. See Mat. XXV. 26.

no guide] As in the Bees is an umbrage of Monarchy, verse 7 so in the Ants of Democracie.

He winketh] Doth twinkle with his eyes, verse 13 and tinkle with his feet; to promote frowardnesse, mischief, and discord.

without remedie] A dreadful and dismal doome, verse 15 when he dreames not of danger.

thou wakest] Psal. verse 22 CXXXIX. verse 24 17, verse 25 18. verse 29

to keep thee] To be as an amulet to that end.

her beauty] Helen without, but Hecuba within.

not be innocent] flagitium & flagellum, sicut acus & filum. Culpam Paena premit comes, saith Horace. Abraham might see Sodom burning; but Lot must not look that way.

sevenfold] Often restore, verse 31 as he often sinnes in that kinde, Psalme XII. 7. But is not punished with death, as the adulterer is. We read in the Law, of double, of fourfold, and fivefold restitution, in several cases of theft, Exod. XXII. 1, 4. 2 Sam. XII. 6. Here by sevenfold is meant manifold, as Psal. XII. 6. a plentiful restitution.

the apple of thine eye] The least moat offends the eye; chapter VII verse 2 that litle man in the eye cannot be touched, but is distempered.

I have peace-offerings] Pretends religion to her filthy practises. verse 14

with me] For thee; as she likely pretended.

my vowes] She is a Votarie too; such as many Popish Nuns are.

the day appointed] Rather so, verse 20 then either new Moone, or full-Moone; as some render it.

al plaine] In things necessary to salvatiō; chapter VIII verse 9 in matters of faith, & practise.

wittie inventions] Not toylsome toyes, which are but laborious losse of time, of no use or worth. But to be wise as Serpents; as Eph. V. 15, 16, 17. Deut. IV. 6.

p. 276By me Kings reign] Rom. verse 15 XIII. 1, 2. by God and his wisdome; by Christ the wisdome of God, who is made unto us wisdome.

I love them that love me] Here is not love lost, verse 17 John XIV. 21, 23. Ephes. VI. 24. and Christ is wholy lovely, Cant. V. 16. Hag. II. 7. 1 Cor. XVI. 22.

I lead in the way of righteousnesse] I meddle not with the Mammon of iniquity; verse 20 lead not to wealth by right or wrong. God forbid that I, or any of mine should take of Satan, from a threed, even to a shoelatchet, lest he should say, I have made you rich.

possessed me] i. e. verse 22 Christ. So the Hebrew foreign; and so Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion, foreign, accordingly: not foreign, created me; as the LXX. read, and the Arrian would have it; denying thereby the eternal Deity of Christ. And yet that Col. I. 15. the first-borne of every creature, stands well in an Orthodox exposition, with the Catholick Doctrine of Christs eternal Deity. And the words in the verses following, do agree unto Christ; compared with Psal. II. 6. and XC. 2. Matth. III. 17. John I. 14. As moreover the words in the beginning of the next Chapter do agree to him likewise, who is the wisdome of the Father, Col. III. 2. And that Christ is God, see among other places, Heb. I. 3. John I. 3. Col. I. 16, 17.

foundations of the earth] Yet hangs in the aire, verse 29 as it were by Geometrie, ver. 30. John I. 1.

and my delights were] With his Church especially. verse 31

findeth life] John XIV. verse 35 6. and chap. X. 28. and chap. I. 12.

Wisdome] Hebr. chapter IX verse 1 wisdomes; the most excellent wisdome. See ch. VIII 1. and the Observations on chap. I. 20.

seven pillars] So many polished pillars as might be sufficient to uphold and adorne her.

mingled her wine] This usual in those hot countries, verse 2 verse 5. In relation to the Gospel, see that Matth. XXII. 4.

come eate of my bread] As the Virgin Mary is not meant by wisdome, verse 5 verse 1. so neither the Eucharist by this Bread and Wine here; as some Papists would poorly seek to perswade us.

Reprove not a scorner] Chap. verse 8 XXIII. 9. and chap. XXIV. 9. and XXVI. 4. Matth. VII. 6. The basest can mock: As the abjects did David, Psal. XXXV. 15.

thy dayes shall be multiplied] Chap. verse 11 X. 27. and III. 2, 16. Exod…s XX. 12. if short life would not prove a blessing to thee, 1 Kings XIV. 13. Esay LVII. 1, 2. as it was to Enoch, to Josiah, and others; who did live long in a little time here, and then lived for ever in heaven.

clamorous] The most lewd, verse 13. 17. are the most loud.

stollen waters] Those pleasures where the Devil is a play-fellow. But such morsels of sinne are murdering morsels, not nourishing.

The Proverbs] Here the name of Solomon is prefixed again; chapter X as it seemes to a second Head, verse 1 or Collection of Proverbs; wherein the Opposition of Contraries in the same verse is very much used; and the first part often serveth much to usher in the second.

p. 277from death] The second death; verse 2 and from the first too, many times, and alwayes as to the evil and sting of it.

The Lord will not suffer] Though he refuse to enrich himself by evil arts, verse 3 and though he give to the poor, yet he shall not want necessaries, Psal. XXXVII. 25. and XXXIV. 9.

Blessings] Chap. verse 6 XXVIII. 20. Gen. XXVII. 33. a confluence of all, and of all kinds, of Blessings.

The memorie] Their name is heire to their life; verse 7 their stock remains, goes forward, and shall do, till the day of doome. Chap. XXII. 1. and chap. XV. 30. Eccles. VII. 1. 3 Iohn verse 12.

but the name of the wicked shall rot] A frequent phrase and speech with the Hebrews; which they abbreviate, and write thus, foreign.

shall receive commandment] Be subject to Gods holy word, verse 8 without replies, and cavils.

winketh] Winketh wiles. verse 10

sorrow] Sinne, and sorrow, to himself, and others.

a well of life] Flowing as an ever-flowing fountain. verse 11 Psal. XXXVII. 30, 31. Matth. XII. 35. Heb. VIII. 10.

love covereth] 1 Cor. verse 12 XIII. verse 20 7. verse 21 1 Pet. 4. 8.

as choice silver] Prov. XXV. 11.

feede many] Luke XIX. 48. 2 Cor. VI. 10. They are empty Vines that bear fruit to themselves only, Hos. X. 1.

no sorrow with it] Wealth without woe, verse 22 store without sore, gold without guilt of sinne, or guilty conscience.

a sport] These dance to hell. verse 23

hath wisdom] For his sport and delight, Rom. VII. 22. Job XXIII. 12.

The fear] Iob XV. verse 24 21. and ch. XXIX. 25.

shall be granted] If they fail not in the matter, manner, intention, or duration of their desires and prayers; being content either to wait, or to want the thing desired, being heartily willing that God should be glorified, though themselves be not glorified.

Whirlwind] Iob XXVII. 20,—23. verse 25

shortned] Eccles. verse 27 VII. verse 28 17.

The hope] Psal. CXXX. 5. Prov. XIV. 32. Heb. VI. 18, 19.

Pride] Where pride is in the saddle, chapter XI verse 2. 7. shame is in the crooper.

the hope] His hope made a bridge of his own shadow; and thinking to go over it, he falls into the water: he as a childe grasps at a shadow on the wall.

in his stead] As it befell Haman, verse 8 Daniels enemies in the denne of lions, and others, 2 Thes. I. 6, 7.

holdeth his peace] From despising words, verse 12 opprobrious language; not seeking to wash off durt with durt.

concealeth] Tacitus to him is the best historian. verse 13

own flesh] As Baals Priests, verse 17 and some popish merit-mongers. verse 18

sure reward] Only he must have patience, and not look to sow and reap all in one day, James V. 7.

pursueth evil] As Asahel followed Abner. verse 19 Ephes. IV. 19. adding p. 278drunkennesse to thirst, with both hands; Hel gapeth for him.

a froward heart] A man may die by inward bleeding, verse 20 Jer. IV. 14. The Heart appears in the life; as the candle in the lanthorne.

only good] Rom. verse 23 VII. 22. Heb. XIII. 18. Yet when the flesh gets the winde, and hill of the Spirit, it sometimes over-bears: as a gust of winde forceth the ferry-man backward.

is wrath] Proves such, Rom. II. 8, 9.

that scattereth] The five loaves in the Gospel were multiplied by division, verse 24 and augmented by substraction.

trusteth] Riches were never true to any that trusted in them, verse 28 Luke XII. 15. Psal. LII. 6, 7. exoriuntur ut exurantur; as the grasse.

winneth souls] James V. verse 30 20. Dan. XII. 3. One soul more worth then all the world; as he tells us who only went to the price of it, Mat. XVI. 26.

recompensed] Chastened. verse 31 Their afflictions are not penal, but medicinal, or probational.

in the earth] Which is their house of correction: not in hell.

much more] Totaly and finaly, Nahum. I. 9. as 1 Sam. XXVI. 8. 1 Pet. IV. 17, 18.

not be established] chapter XII verse 3 Though he may flourish for a time.

not be moved] Chap. X. 25. Psal. LXII. 2, 6.

a crown] A choise and chief ornament. verse 4

but the mouth] Hence are those many Apologies of the Christians, in all times, verse 6 and ages.

according to his wisdome] James III. verse 8 13, 17. 2 Cor. X. 18. Rom. I. 22, 23. 1 Cor. II. 4,—8.

the net of evil men] Such a net as that Hab. verse 12 I. 15. that they may do the like, use all cunning arts and crafts of doing mischief; he so furiously pursueth his lusts, as if he desired to be intangled in the net of his own destruction. Or, he desireth the forteresse against evils; but all in vaine; or, the fortresse of evil men, to be secured and defended by them, and their strength. Thus various may be the reading and sense of these words.

is snared] The venome of his heart blisters his tongue, verse 13 that it breaks out at his lips to his own ruine.

A fools wrath] He hath no power over his own passions. verse 16 chapter XXIX. 11.

covereth shame] 1 Sam. X. 27. Passeth by an offence, covereth an injury.

no evil] Esay XXVII. verse 21 9.

filled] He that makes a match with mischief, shall have his belly full of it. chap. I. 31. and XIV. 14.

deal truly] Psal. verse 22 LI. 6. verse 23 Esay LXIII. 8. Ephes. IV. 15. 1 John I. 6. 8.

concealeth] Loves not to out-lash. Yet is not niggard where there is need, chap. XV. 7.

proclaimeth] In it is, and out it must, what ever come of it.

a good word] As cordials of comfort, verse 25 breasts of consolation, wells of salvation.

p. 279more excellent] As a Prince of God among them; verse 26 as Abraham among the Hittites, Gen. XXIII. 6. Psal. XVI. 3.

no death] No sting in it. verse 28 And they passe from the jawes of death, to the joyes of heaven.

heareth not] But jears at it. chapter XIII

Keepeth his mouth] God hath set a double guard of lips, verse 1 and teeth, verse 3 before this gate; yet unlesse God himself keep the watch, all will be lost, Psal. CXLI. 3. and CXXVII. 1. See chap. XII. 13. and chap. XVIII. 21. and chap. XXI. 23.

diligent] Affection without endeavour is like Rachel, verse 4 beautiful, but barren; we must work, as well as will and wish. and 2 Cor. VIII. do, as well as desire; performe as well as promise.

loathsome] Stinks as it were above ground. verse 5 And cometh to shame by his lying.

The ransome] Jer. XLI. 8.

heareth not rebuke] As a man not worth the chiding, verse 8 not considerable; having nothing to lose.

the lamp of the wicked] As a candle, verse 9 Job XVIII. 5, 6. and ends in a snuff, Eccles. VII. 6.

wisdome] Meeknesse of wisdome, verse 10 wisdome peaceable, James III. 13, 17.

Hope deferred] Many lie long languishing at Hopes Hospital; verse 12 as he at the poole of Bethesda.

The Law] Chap. verse 14 XIV. verse 15 27.

good understanding.] Both gaineth favour, as in Joseph, Daniel, and others. And favour or grace gaineth a good understanding or good successe, chap. III. 4. Psal. CXI. 10.

is hard] Harsh, rough; 2 Tim. III. 3, 4. Tit. III. 3.

prudent man] Observes seasons, verse 16 and circumstances, deports himself with discretion, Amos V. 13.

his folly] By his headstrong, verse 17 headlong exorbitances.

a wicked messinger] Chap. XXVI. 6.

is sweet] Specialy in spiritual things. verse 19

abomination] To be pulled from their evil lusts and sinful courses.

walketh] Converseth, verse 20 is a constant companion.

companion] 1 Cor. XV. 33. which Saint Paul takes out of Menander the Poët.

pursueth] Hard at heeles. verse 21 Sinne and Punishment are linked together with chains of adamant.

repayed] By God a liberal paymaster.

to his child] Personal goodnesse is profitable to posterity, verse 22 1 Kings XV. 4. Exod. XXXIV. 7. where the Hebrew word N…tser, keepeth, hath a great N. to note likely the greatnesse of Gods merciemercy to the good mans posterity.

Wealth] As Nabals was for David; Hamans for Mordecai; the Canaanites for the Israelites. Job XXVII. 16, 17. Though this be not so alwayes, and universaly, Psal. XVII. 14.

p. 280want of judgement] In tillage; verse 23 or managing, and husbanding what is gotten.

hateth his sonne] As it proves in the issue. verse 24 As we see in Eli to his sonnes: and in David to his Absalom, and Adonijah. See chap. XXIII. 13. and XIX. 18. And thus we are said to will and do many things, which properly and directly we do not so; but because we do such things whereupon the other will follow. So chap. VIII. 36. and chap. XVII. 19. Matth. XXVI. 12. John XII. 7. Luke XI. 48. Ezek. XVIII. 31. and XXXIII. 11. Psal. CVI. 24.

satisfying] With contentation, verse 25 be it more or lesse. verse 6

seeketh] As a coward seeketh his adversarie; chapter XIV in hope not to finde him.

is easie] Chap. I. 20. and chap. VIII. 1, 17.

a mock at sinne] These dance with the Devil. verse 9 Chap. X. 23. 2 Thes. II. 12. 2 Pet. II. 13.

favour] From God: or a complacencie in their righteous dealing: or gains them favour among themselves.

not intermeddle] 1 Pet. verse 10 I. 8. Phil. IV. 7. 2 Cor. V. 4. It is an hansel of heaven. The cock on the dunghil knows not the worth of this jewel.

seemeth] Chap. verse 12 XVI. 25. Sinne comes cloathed with a shew of Reason. Exod. I. 10. And thereupon we willingly deceive our own hearts, James I. 26. as Micah, Iudg. XVII. 13. and Ier. VII. 4. And self-delusion is an epidemical disease, and deadly.

even in laughter] Some frothy and flashy mirth the wicked may have; verse 13 but there is a snare or cord in their sinne which strangles their mirth, that they rejoyce in the face, not in the heart, 2 Cor. V. 12. Esth. V. 13

heavinesse] Iob XXI. 12, 13. Luke 6. 25. Eccles. II. 2.

filled with his own wayes] have made a match with mischief, verse 14 and shall have enough of it; hath sold himself to wickednesse, and shall be sure of his payment.

from himself] 1 Tim. VI. 6. Heb. X. 34. Psal. XIX. 11. Goodness is its own reward, in hand, and in hope.

The simple beleeveth] As Ieroboam that old baby. verse 15

looketh well] Looks before he leaps; tries before he trusts. 1 Iohn IV. 1. Ephes. V. 15.

feareth, verse 16 and departeth] Feareth the judgements whiles they hang in the threatnings: counts them, not words so much, as thunderbolts, Hab. III. 16.

The evil bow] The worst cannot but think well of them; verse 19 and do homage to the image of God stamped upon the natures and practises of the good and righteous.

his neighbour] Poor neighbour, verse 21 and needy.

that devise evil? That plot and plough it, verse 22 dig and delve it; are they not heavenly wide, utterly out?

labour] That is honest, verse 23 not that whereby they do wickedly with both hands earnestly.

p. 281talk of the lips] Great talkers, are commonly do-littles.

is their riches] For God gives them wisdome to use them well. verse 24

fools] Rich fools. Riches to them is as a sword put into a mad mans hand.

strong confidence] Dan. verse 26 III. verse 28 17. 2 Kings XVIII. 5.

multitude of people] Which wars waste and consume. See 2 Sam. XXIV.

slow to anger] Anger may rush into a wise mans bosome; verse 29 not rest there, Eccles. VII. 9. Iames I. 19, 20.

exalteth] Proclaims it aloud; verse 30 sets it on the theater.

A sound heart] Well freed from passions and perturbations holds out long.

envie] A corroding disease it is: an hel-hag that feeds upon its own marrow, bones, and strongest parts: it is as rust is to iron; as the viper: It both sinnes, and is punished together, so quick and speedy justice accompanies it, Iob V. 2.

his maker] 1 Sam. verse 31 II. 7. A poor mans livelihood is his life, Luke VIII. 43.

honoureth him] That is, honoureth God. God so takes it; chap. III. 8. And God honours him; Matth. XXV. 34. &c.

driven away] Being arrested by the Serjeant death, verse 32 in the Devils name and so hurried away, and hurled into hell.

hath hope] Death to them is as the valley of Achor. Iustus etiam dum exspirat sperat.

in the heart] Is not vainglorious, verse 33 sets not forth his good parts and practises a sunning, to be seene and cried up.

in the midst of fools] Their zeal must be seene; 2 Kings X. 16. Their pietie must be shored up with popularitie.

a reproach] Sinnes are the snuffs of our candlesticks, verse 34 and threaten the removal of it, and will render us a reproach and a taunt; Deut. XXVIII. 37. Ier. XXV. 9. Ezek. V. 14, 15.

a wise servant] So to Joseph by Pharaoh; verse 35 so to Daniel by Darius. And much more is the favour of the King of Kings to his servants; Matth. XXIV. 45, 46, 47. and XXV. 21, 23.

his wrath] So to Haman, Shebna, and others.

A soft answer] Chap. chapter XV verse 1 XXV. 15. As Gideons to the Ephraimites, Judg. VIII. And Abigaels apology to David, 1 Sam. XXV. 32, 33. Yet roughnes & hard language in some cases, & circumstances, is necessary.

The tongue] Which David stiles his glory; verse 2 and he used it accordingly.

The eyes of the Lord] As a well-drawn picture viewes all that come into the roome. verse 3 The sinner vainly thinks to hide himself from God, by hiding God from himself. But the world, and our thoughts are to him as a sea of glasse. God like the Optick vertue in the eye sees all. Iob XXXIV. 21, 22.

tree of life] Gen. verse 4 II. 9. Ezek. XLVII. 12. Apoc. XXII. 2.

breach] A sting and a staine, in the conscience, and spirit: yea, and grieves the spirit of God.

p. 282is prudent] Wise he is, verse 5 and wiser he will be, Psal. XIV. 5.

much treasure] The righteous man is alwayes rich; verse 6 and rich in all estates: rich in the most precious spiritual things; rich in reversions, in sure Bills and Bonds; rich in propriety, he holds all in capite, in Christ, he is no usurper of them, 1 Cor. III. 22. Rom. VIII. 32.

trouble] In getting, keeping, and fears of losing: together with sting of conscience, Iob XX. 15.

disperse knowledge] As Stars diffuse their light Phil. verse 7 II. 15.

The sacrifice] As good words uttered with a stinking breath, verse 8 from rotten lungs. Their sacrifice is abominable, quoad fontem, & quoad finem; not proceeding from a right principle; nor tending to the right end, which is Gods glory, that should consume all other ends, as the Sunne puts out the light of the fire. See chap. XXI. 27. Amos V. 22. Esay I. 11. and LXVI. 3. Jer. VI. 20. and VII. 22.

but the prayer] Esay XLV. 11. command ye me.

The way] Prov. verse 9 XXI. 4. Their very consciences send up continual poisonous vapours unto God.

followeth after] With might and maine; as ravenous creatures have in chase their prey. Phil. III. 11,—14. resurrection of the dead that is, that height of holinesse that accompanieth the resurrection.

Correction is grievous] Being in love with his own ruine. verse 10

hateth reproof] Being imbittered, not bettered by it.

Hell] Job XXVI. verse 11 6▪ Psal. CXXXIX. 12. Heb. IV. 13. foreign; though invisible to us.

loveth not] Yea hates, verse 12 Amos V. 10.

neither will he go] As he should. Dan. XII. 4. 2 Kings IV. 23. Psal. LXXXIV. 7. Esay LXVI. 20. He saith, as Jeroboam, 1 Kings XII. 28.

A merrie heart] Acts VI. verse 13 15. and V. 41. Cant. II. 4. This chiefly is true spiritualy.

broken] Is as a limb out of joynt. A dejected spirit takes off as it were the wheels of the soul.

seeketh knowledge] As an hungry man seeks meat; verse 14 or a covetous man gold; the more he hath, the more he desireth.

feedeth] As swine do on swill.

a continual feast] This is eminently true in a good, verse 15 clear, and chearful conscience, 2 Cor. I. 9, 12.

a little] It is not the great cage makes the bird sing: verse 16 neither do they sing when they are on the ground, but when got up into the aire, or on boughs of trees, from the ground. See chap. XVI. 8. and XVII. 1, 15. Psal. XXXVII. 16. 1 Tim. IV. 8. and VI. 6.

appeaseth strife] Is busie to stint it, verse 18 not to stir it up. See chap. XXII. 24.

is made plaine] By much practise having gotten an habit, verse 19 he dispatcheth duty with delight, and comes off with comfort. Esay XL. 31. Christs yoak is no more burdensome to him, then the wing is to the bird.

p. 283is above] In heaven; verse 24 and thitherward he goes, Phil. III. 20. Col. III. 1. He deals in low and earthly things, as a wise man may sport with children: but that is not his businesse.

hell beneath] That when the cold grave shall have his body, hot hell may not hold his soul.

widow] That hath none to stick to her, verse 25 and stickle for her. So to the Shunamite, the widow of Sarepta, and of the poor Prophet, 2 King, IV.

The thoughts] Thoughts are not free, verse 26 Jer. VI. 19.

pleasant words.] Mal. III. 16. chap. X. 20. and XXV. 11.

troubleth] Fires his own nest, verse 27 when he thinks to feather it: and troubles all his houshold with hast, and hurrie, to get gain.

studieth] His tongue runs not before his wit. verse 28

heareth the prayer] Psal. verse 29 CXLV. 18. 1 Pet. III. 12. the breathing, Lam. III. 56. the minde of the spirit, Rom. VIII. 26, 27. Baal hears not, though they call on him never so long, never so loud, 1 Kings XVIII. See 2 Chron. XXXIII. 13.

The light] Light and sight are comfortable, verse 30 Eccl. XI. 7.

reproof] Better the Vine should bleed, verse 32 then die.

before honour is humility] The lower the ebbe▪ the higher the tide. verse 33 The lower this foundation of humility is laid, the higher shall the roof of honour be over-laid. Honour followeth him that flies from it; as the shadow doth the body.

The preparations] Or disposings, chapter XVI verse 1 verse 9. and chap. XVI. 9. and chap. XIX. 21. and chap. XX. 24. Ier. X. 23.

is from the Lord] By the obstetrication of his assistance; and by his secret influence, and disposing providence, beyond mans own imagination Acts XVII. 28. Esay X. 7.

in his own eyes] Chap. verse 2 XXI. 2. He thinks his penny good silver. But all is not gold that glisters, Luke XVI. 15. Rom. II. 29. Iudg. XVII. 13. we set up a counter for a thousand pounds.

weigheth the spirits] Chap. V. 21. the inside; and there discovers a New-found world of wickednesse.

Commit] Luke XII. 29. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, Psal. LV. 22. as it were, verse 3 by a writ of removal. 1 Pet. V. 7. Psal. XXXVII. 5.

established] Till then it flickers up and down, as Noahs Dove, till it return to the Ark.

for himself] His own glory, verse 4 and the demonstration of his goodnesse, properties, and attributes, Rom. XI. 36.

for the day of evil] Iob XXI. 30. as they are wicked men; and as such looked upon by God: though he created them good; and he be the absolute Sovereign Lord of all his creatures, and his will be both recta and regula. He justly keeps, orders, and ordains such for the day of their deserved punishment, Rom. IX. 17. 21, 22.

though hand] Chap. verse 5 XI. 21. Heb. X. 31.

By merciemercy and truth] Of God; Chap. XIV. 22. verse 6 his merciemercy in promising, his truth in performing. Or, where these graces are in man, p. 284there iniquity is purged. Piety, and grace, and the fear of God, are a sure token of remission of sins.

even his enemies] Sinne is the make-bate. verse 7 Please God; Esay XXVII. 4, 5. and all his creatures are at his beck and check. God made Laban, and Esau, at peace with Iacob; Gen. XXXI. and XXXIII. Chapters.

A divine sentence] Is, verse 10 or should be, and best becomes them. See it in Solomon, 1 Kings III. 24. in David, 2 Sam. XIV. 17, 20. a discerning power and sagacitie was in them, which God gave them.

his work] His Ordinance. verse 11 Stones were used for weights. And they usualy put into a bag, Deut. XXV. 13.

to Kings] For they are more obliged to God then other men: verse 12 and their sinnes are exemplarie. Magnates are Magnetes.

throne] Ier. XXII. 13,—20.

love him] Chap. verse 13 XXII. 11. yet oft-times it falls out otherwise with wicked Kings.

pacifie it] As Abigael did Davids; verse 14 and Benhadads servants did Ahabs. No other way is to be taken.

of the later raine] Deut. XI. verse 15 14. James V. 7. Amos IV. 7. See my Annotations on Joel. II. 23. and on Zech. X. 1.

The high way] This is his road, verse 17 and trade, Psal. CXXXIX. 24. Acts XXIV. 16.

Pride] Swelling is dangerous in a wall, verse 18 Esay XXX. 13. dangerous in mans body; so is the swelling of pride. Examples many of the fall of such.

Better] to be spoiled, verse 19 then to spoil: to suffer wrong, then to do it.

wisely] With due deliberation and circumspection. verse 20

trusteth in the Lord] Not in his own wisdome. God can crack the strongest sinew in all the arme of flesh, Esay XXII. 11.

sweetnesse of the lips] Eloquence gives an addition of weight to learning. verse 21

teacheth] Seasoneth it with salt of grace; verse 23 ere it sets it by utterance, as a dish, before the hearers.

pleasant words] Such as those, verse 24 Eccles. XII. 10.

lips] James III. verse 27 6.

He shutteth his eyes] With more freedome of minde to beat his brains, verse 30 and study, to excogitate, and revolve, and resolve of mischief.

moving his lips] Mumbling and muttering to himself.

then he that taketh a Citie] Fortior est qui se, verse 32 quàm qui fortissima vincit moenia, Nec virtus altiùs ire potest.

The Lot] Gods Providence extendeth to things in our account meerly contingent and casual. verse 33 Matth. X. 29. See Josh. XIV. 2. 1 Sam. X. 20. Acts I. 24, 25, 26. See my Annotations on Jonah I. 7.

sacrifices] Good chear used at Sacrifices, chapter XVII verse 1 chap. VII. 14. alluded to James V. 5. See chap. IX. 2.

trieth] Zech. verse 3 XIII. 9. Mal. III. 2. 3. God trieth us, that we may know what is in our selves: and by his trying to refine us, 1 Pet. I. 7, p. 285or to punish us, Ier. XVII. 9, 10. See chap. XXVII. 21.

giveth heed] Is apt to beleeve scandalous reports. verse 4

poor] chap. XIV. 31.

childrens] If they, verse 6 and their fathers be good.

it prospereth] Chap. XIX. 6. verse 8 most love gain; love with shame, Give ye.

covereth] For even in friendship faults will fall out, verse 9 chap. X. 12. 1 Cor. XIII. 4.

repeateth] Rips up, and rakes into his friends frailties.

A reproof] A word to the wise. verse 10

an hundred stripes] Beaten he is, but not bent or bowed thereby to goodnesse; amerced he is, but not amended. Gods spirit did not set it on. Chap. XXVII. 22.

only rebellion] Against God, and Man.

a cruel messenger] Gods executioners, all, and every of his creatures; Hab. II. 11. And mans executioners, the hangman, and officers.

Whelps] Which she licketh into forme, verse 12 and loves above measure. Yet her danger may be sooner shifted and shunned.

evil for good] This ingratitude is a monster in nature. verse 13 To render good for evil, is divine; good for good, is humane; evil for evil, is sinful and bruitish; evil for good is devilish. Ier. XVIII. 20, 21. Psalme CIX. 4, 5.

The beginning] Therefore stop it betime; verse 14 as one would a breach of the Sea. Quench it, whiles a spark. Iames III. 5. It is hard to be disingaged from contentious quarrels when one is once in. 1 Thes. IV. 11.

justifieth] These frame mischief by a Law, verse 15 Psal. XCIV. 20. and sinne cum privilegio. Neither must Judge do thus: nor private men in their Censures. They must not hold him, or handle him as a just man.

a price] Principaly appliable to those that neglect so great salvation, verse 16 Heb. II. 3. and let slip the opportunities put into their hands for heaven; and so trifle and fool away their time, and eternal happiness. The vulgar Latin and LXX. make another translation, and sense; not rightly.

A friend] A true friend, verse 17 chap. XVIII. 24. and XXVII. 17. not such as those Psal. XXXVIII. 11. and chap. XIX. 7.

Scilicet ut fulvum spectatur in ignibus aurum,

Tempore sic duro est experienda fides.

strife] Chap. verse 19 XXIX. 22. and XV. 18. and XXVI. 21. James III. 16. Psal. XXXVII. 8. It opens the gap to many mischiefs.

gate] High and broad gates break men many times. Or rather, setteth open a wide door to strife and contentions, lets in many destructive mischiefs; though not in his intention, yet in issue.

begetteth a fool] Solomons own case, verse 21 chap. X. 1. and chap. XV. 20. and chap. XIX. 13. Better were a miscarrying womb, and dry breasts.

A merry heart] Chap. XV. 13. and XII. 25. Eccles. IX. 7, 8, 9.

p. 286a broken spirit] Chap. XVIII. 14. Psal. XXXII. 3. and CII. 3, 4, 5 and CXIX. 83.

A wicked man] A Judge in taking, verse 23 or receiving; a briber in giving, chap. XXIX. 4. chap. XV. 27. and chap. XXI. 14 Psal. XV. 5. and XXVI. 10. Job. XV. 34. Deut. XVI. 19. and chap. XXVII. 25.

before him] Easie to him, verse 24 chap. XIV. 6. and chap. VIII. 9. Or, in his face and eye, appears there; chap. IV. 25. Eccles. II. 14 But the fools eyes up and down, wandering; and he as one that hath lost his way, nor knows where he is, or which way to turne, is besides himselfe.

to punish] They should be cherished. verse 26

nor to strike Princes for equity] Rulers, for doing right in their offices. Or, Princes should not strike well-doers. Or, to strike Princes and worthy men, besides and against right and equity.

spareth] James. I 19. verse 27 chap. X. 19.

Even a fool] Job XIII. verse 28 5. Sitacuisses philosophus fuisses.

counted] Not that he is so. Or is wise in being silent. Whence is that, Loquere …tte videam.

separated himself] From the world, chapter XVIII verse 1 and all other impediments, to apply himself to seek wisdome. Or, the Separatist stirs busily in every thing that is done, whereby he may effect his designe, and come off with his credit a…d reputed wisdome. And this is true in quarrelsome and medling men: And in Separatists and Schismaticks, that rend the Unity of the Church.

A fool] It wilful to follow his own humour, verse 2 against all that can be said to the contrary. Or, is vainglorious, setting his good parts a sunning; only to seeme wise and understanding, and to gaine applause, chap. XIV. 33. Or phantastickly affects singularitie, to be crosse to all men.

Then cometh contempt] It comes into the world with him, verse 3 being vainly puft up by his fleshly minde, Col. II. 18. and contemning others. Job XI. 12. And as he contemnes God, and good men; so contempt from God and good men comes upon him, chap. III. 34. they are paid in their own coine; they are with ignomie repaid reproach.

deep waters] Which can never be drawn dry, verse 4 chap. X. 11. and ch. XIII. 14. and XIV. 27. and XX. 5. John VII. 38.

brook] That the simplest may understand. The holy Scripture indeed is both text and glosse.

It is not good] But very bad, verse 5 ch. XXIV. 23. and XXVIII 21. Levit. XIX. 15. Deut. XV. 7. and ch. XVI. 19. and I. 17. James II. 1,—4.

stroaks] By his desire upon others; verse 6 but by desert and issue upon himself; as in the next verse.

A fools mouth] Chap. verse 7 X. 14. and XII. 13. and XIII. 3.

Tale-bearer] Chap. verse 8 XII. 18. 1 Tim. III. 8.

is brother] Is alike. verse 9 The sloathful, and prodigal, both have the same event; both come to want and povertie.

The Name] His Attributes.

p. 287a strong tower] Esay XXVI. 4. and XXXIII. 16.

and is safe] And set aloft. All other refuges will fail.

wealth] Hard to be rich, verse 11 and not to trust in riches, Mark X. 23, 24. 1 Tim. VI. 17. Yet this his trust is not like that in the former verse: This shall fail; this trust is but only in conceit.

haughtie] Chap. verse 12 XI. 2. and chap. XVI. 18. and chap. XV. 33.

who can bear?] Many are the examples thereof; verse 14 yea, even in heathen, and in wicked men; worldly comforts here are but as a fair shoe to a gowtie foot, or a silken stockin to a broken leg.

Gift] Chap. verse 16 XVII. 8, 23. This Jacob knew well, Gen. XXXIII. 11.

He that is first] Therefore Judges, verse 17 and all men, had need to keep one eare for the defendant. Tertullus pleaded fairly till Paul came to answer. And so Ziba against Mephibosheth. A man is not easily to be beleeved in his own tale against another.

The lot] Josh. verse 18 XIV. 2. Acts I. 26. See my Annotations on Jonah I. 7.

A brother offended] A brother natural, verse 19 or spiritual; a sworne brother. Too many are the sad experiences of this. The vulgar Latin, and LXX. read, and render otherwise.

tongue] That best and worst member of the body. verse 21 James III. 2, —11. Mark XII. 37.

a wife] A good wife. verse 22 As a Name, for a good name, Eccles. VII. 1. He obtains favour of the Lord; chap. XIX. 14. and XXXI. 10.

The poor] Speaks supplications. verse 23 Much more should poor man to God.

hath friends] Love is the whetstone, verse 24 and loadstone of love.

a friend] Chap. XVII. 17. as ones own soul, Deut. XIII. 6.

Better] Chap. chapter XIX verse 1 XXVIII. 6.

perverse in his lips] Speaketh wickedly, roughly, and roboustiously.

without knowledge] An ignorant man is in the dark; verse 2 nor can be good. Knowledge is much magnified in this Book of the Proverbs.

hasteth] Rashly, without premeditation and forecast. Such is blind zeal; as mettle in a blind horse.

perverteth his way] And God walks contrary to him, verse 3 Levit. XVI. 24.

frets] As 2 Kings VI. 33.

wealth] Chap. verse 4 XIV. 20. Donec eris foelix multos numerabis amicos. Tempora si fuerint nubila solus eris.

neighbour] Who turnes strange to him, or enemie against him.

unpunished] By God. And when known, by man also. verse 5 There is a pillorie-perjury. See verse 9. and chap. XXI. 28. and ch. XXV. 18. Exod. XXIII. 1 Deut. XIX. 16,—21.

Prince] For their own commodity. verse 6

Poor] Ch. verse 7 XIV. 20.

Delight] But stripes rather. verse 10 Ch. X. 13 Ch. XXX. 22.

p. 288a servant] As Abimelech the bramble, Iudg. IX. 15. As Pontifex Romanus, the bridgmaker of Rome; who writes Servus servorum, chap. XXX. 22. Eccles. X. 7.

deferreth] Ch. verse 11 XIV. 29. But it must not be so, as Absalom did toward Ammon.

passe by] As winking at it, or forgiving it, or overcoming it with goodnesse.

Kings wrath] Chap. verse 12 XVI. 14. and XX. 2. and XXVIII. 15. Eccles. VIII. 2, 3, 4. 2 Tim. IV. 17.

A foolish sonne] Chap. verse 13 X. 1. and chap. XV. 20. and XVII. 21, 25.

contentions of a wife] Chap. XXI. 9. and XXVII. 15, 16. This is like a tempest in the haven.

inheritance] More immediately. verse 14

from the Lord] Chap. XVIII. 22. By his peculiar providence, Tobias VI. 22.

Keepeth] Evangelicaly: verse 16 thinks upon them to do them, Psal. CIII. 18. 2 Cor. VIII. 12. Esay XXVI. 12. Let us ask him to give, what he commands us to have.

his wayes] Gods wayes; or, his own wayes, living loosely, and carelessely, and lawlessely.

lendeth] Matth. verse 17 X. 42. and chap. XXV. 40. 2 Cor. IX. 6, 7. Eph. IV. 28. Psal. XLI. 1. 1 Tim. VI. 17, 18, 19. Heb. XIII. 16. 1 John III. 17. He lends it to the Lord upon usury; as the vulgar Latin renders it.

Chasten] Chap. verse 18 XIII. 24. and XXII. 15. and XXIII. 13. and ch. XXIX. 15, 17.

of great wrath] Cholerick and wrathful men; verse 19 their Passion, after their deliverance, will bring them in danger again. Or, if thou in great wrath, yet pardon thy sonnes fault, yet threaten him with greater punishment if he fault again.

Hear] This may be the fathers lessoning his childe whom he hath lashed. verse 20 Or may be taken in a greater latitude, and sensed more generaly.

many devises] Chap. verse 21 XVI. 1, 9. Job. XXIII. 13. Psal. XXXIII. 10, 11. and XLVI. 10.

The desire] A mans will is to be accepted for the deed, verse 22 if he have nothing to give. Or, mans desire is to be counted kinde and bountiful. Not he that brags what he would do if he had wherewith; and yet having it, fails of performance.

a poor man] Having a giving affection, is better then such a braging lyer.

The fear] Chap. verse 23 XXII. 4. and chap. XIV. 27. and I. 7. and VIII. 13.

Smite a scorner] Though not he, yet the simple will beware by it, verse 25 chap. XXI. 11.

devoureth] Job XV. verse 28 16. Ephes. IV. 19.

wine] Chap. chapter XX verse 1 XXIII. 29,—35. Hos. VII. 5. Esay XXVIII. 1. Gen. IX. 21. 1 Sam. XXV. 36.

p. 289not wise] When the wine is in, the wit is out.

of a King] Chap. verse 2 XVI. 14. and chap. XIX. 12.

to cease from strife] Gen. verse 3 XIII. 8, 9. 1 Cor. XIII. 4, 5, 7. Brawling becomes not a man of a magnanimous spirit.

Counsel] Verse 27. chap. XVIII. 4. draw it out; verse 5 for his use and imitation.

his own goodnesse] So all Hereticks; verse 6 and ambitious men, Matth. VI. 1. V. 16. But few faithfuly performe what they proudly proclaime.

his children] Personal piety is profitable to posterity, verse 7 2 Kings X. 30. Exod. XX. 6. Psal. CXII. 2.

scattereth] Verse 26. Psal. verse 8 CI. 5. The sword of justice is to be furbished with the oile of merciemercy; yet there are cases wherein severity ought to cast the scale. And this Kings best do, when they sit in the throne themselves; and leave not all alwayes to Judges under them.

my heart clean] The Pharisee, verse 9 and Popish Justitiarie saith it. Not Paul, Rom. VII. 15. 1 Cor. IV. 4 nor Iob, chap. IX. 30, 31. and XIV. 4. nor David, Psal. CXXX. 3. and LI. 5 Eccles. VII. 20. 1 John I. 8.

a childe] Is, or should be known by his doings: verse 11 early shewes his inclination; and how he is like to prove afterwards: and from his childhood it self should be a plaine dealer, without any hypocrisie.

eare] Exod. IV. 11. Psal. XCIV. 9. Therefore he sees, hypocrites, and all, and will punish. Yea, he makes, and opens the spiritual eare, and eye, 1 Cor. II. 9, 10.

sleep] Chap. verse 13 XIX. 15.

open] Be vigilant, and diligent, chap. XII. 11. and XXVIII. 19.

the lips of knowledge] Chap. verse 15 V. 2. Psal. XLV. 3. Cant. V. 1. John VII. 46.

is sweet] Chap. IX. 17.

but afterwards] Job XX. verse 17 15 after the meale comes the reckoning: we must not think to dine with the Devil, and afterwards to sup with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdome of heaven.

Every purpose] Deliberate oft ere thou resolve once. verse 18 Take Counsel: Esay XXX. 1. Psal. CXIX. 24. See chap. XV. 22. and XXIV. 6.

warre] Chap. XXIV. 6. be neither timorous, nor temerarious. Ahab, or Jehoshaphat rather in this might have been a good president to Josiah, 1 Kings XXII. 5. 2 Chron. XXXV. 22.

tale-bearer] Chap. verse 19 XI. 13. Meddle not with such.

Curseth] Chap. verse 20 XXX. 17. Exod. XXI. 17. Levit. XX. 9. Matth. XV. 4.

lamp] Chap. XXIV. 20.

gotten hastily] Chap. verse 21 XIII. 11. and X. 2. and XXVIII. 20.

I will recompence] Chap. verse 22 XXIV. 29. Deut. XXXII. 35. Rom. XII. 17, 19. 1 Thes. V. 15. 1 Pet. III. 9.

Wait] It belongs to him. This is the way to be even with him that wrongs thee; yea, to be above him.

divers weights] Verse 10. verse 23

not good] foreign.

Mans goings] Chap. verse 24 XVI. 1, 9. and chap. III. 6. Psal. XXXVII. 23. Jer. X. 23.

p. 290a snare] As the fish that swallows the hook. verse 25 Against Sacriledge. Acts XIX. 37. Rom. II. 22. Let Princes, and all look to this.

make inquirie] How the vow may be made void.

candle] The minde and conscience is such, verse 27 Matth. VI. 23. 1 Cor. II. 11. It is Gods Spy, and Mans overseer; a kinde of middle thing betwixt God and Man; Our God, as well as Moses was Pharaohs God, and Aarons God, Exod. IV. 16. and VII. 1.

the King] Chap. verse 28 XXIX. 14. Psal. CI. 1. Yet this rule is not without all exception; as in our late King of blessed and bleeding memorie: and in many others.

gray head] Chap. verse 29 XVI. 31.

clenseth] Corrections beat out corruptions. verse 30 foreign, nocumenta documenta, chap. X. 13.

The Kings heart] Jer. chapter XXI verse 1 X. 23. Ezek. XXI. 19, 20, 21. Though never so absolute, is ruled yet, and over-ruled by him who is higher then the highest. Yea, to do his will, though unwitting to the King.

then Sacrifice] To obey is better then sacrifice. verse 3 God will have merciemercy, and not sacrifice. Mark XII. 33. Heathens could see, and say so much. See Esay I. 11. Hos. VI. 6. Micah VI. 7.

the plowing] Whether they plot, verse 4 or plough. Tit. I. 15. As a plaguesore will render the richest robe infectious. Even their Prayer is sinne.

diligent] Chap. verse 5 X. 4. and chap. XII. 24.

hastie] Rashly, make more hast then good speed to be rich.

treasures] Chap. verse 6 X. 2. and chap. XI. 4. and chap. XIII. 11. and chap. XX. 21. So in Achan. Joshuah that could stay the Sunne in his course, could not stay him from fingering those accursed treasures.

The robberie] Robbing and spoyling others, verse 7 by briberie, wrong judgement, and wrong dealing.

a brawling woman] Verse 19. verse 9 chap. XXV. 24. and chap. XIX. 13. and XXVII. 15.

desireth evil] Evil to all, verse 10 but to himself.

findes no favour] Whether he sink or swim, is no part of his care. Psal. LXIX. 26. 2 Tim. III. 3.

wisely considereth] That it shall be overthrown; verse 12 and so envies not at their present prosperitie; but makes their destruction his instruction, Esay XXVI. 11. 1 Cor. X. 11. Psal. LII. 6.

not be heard] Of God; verse 13 or man, Matth. XVIII. 30. Esay LVIII. 7, 9.

A gift] Chap. verse 14 XVII. 8. and chap. XVIII. 16. and XIX. 6. This Abigael knew well, 1 Sam. XXV.

It is joy] Psal. CIX. verse 15 162. Rom. VII. 22.

workers] Jer IX. 5. Psal. VII. 14. Esay V. 18.

wandereth] He cannot wander so farre as to misse of hell, verse 16 Prov. II. 18. Esay L. 11. in that Congregation-house of Gehenna-gyants; where is punishment without pitie, miserie without merciemercy, sorrow without succour, crying without comfort, mischief without measure.

p. 291loveth pleasure] Luke XVI. verse 17 13.

a ransome] Chap. verse 18 XI. 8. God causing that to fall upon the wicked, which was intended against the righteous.

spendeth it up] Foolishly lavisheth it. verse 20 1 Pet. IV. 3, 4. Whereas it should be husbanded thriftily, for necessity, and honest affluence, and comfortable livelihood.

followeth after] Though not overtake it: verse 21 si faciat, etiamsi non perficiat; though he cannot open the door, yet if he lift at the latch; be an active apprentise, though not yet his crafts-master.

A wise man scaleth] Prudence is better then Puissance, verse 22 Eccles. VII. 19. and IX. 15, 16. Prov. XXIV. 5. 2 Sam. XX. 16, 21, 22.

Proud] Chap. verse 24 XIII. 10. and chap. XV. 25.

giveth] Chap. verse 26 XI. 25. and chap. XXII. 9. Esay LVIII. 7. Psal. CXII. 9. 2. Cor. IX. 9. Deut. XV. 10. Matth. XIX. 21, 22. Rom. XII. S. Eccles. XI. 2. Ephes. IV. 28. See on Prov. XIX. 17.

heareth] What he witnesseth. verse 28

against the Lord] The arme of humane policie (as Jeroboams) in that case shrinks up presently. verse 30

The horse] Though so serviceable; verse 31 Job XXXIX. 19,—25. Yet avails not. Psal. XXXIII. 17.

A good name] Eccles. chapter XXII verse 1 VII. 1. See the Observations there. Omnia si perdas, famam servare memento.

meet together] Chap. verse 2 XXIX. 13. Have mutual need one of another, Deut. XV. 11. Matth. XXVI. 11. And meet many times, as travellers in the mid-way; by an alteration and exchange of their conditions, Luke I. 53.

foreseeth] Eccles. verse 3 II. 14. and X. 2. looks before he leaps; sees a tempest in the clouds, and seeks seasonable shelter under the hollow of Gods hand.

passeth on] Pusheth on without fear or wit, desperately into danger, chap. XIV. 16. and XXVII. 12. These after-wits, and post-masters may prove prudent, but too late.

farre from them] From those thornes and snares; verse 5 from the miseries, and misdemeanours too, of the froward man.

Traine up a childe] Young Saints, verse 6 old Angels Yet it faileth sometimes, which is the case of most of these moral observations.

is servant] As it were a servant. verse 7 foreign, saith the Heathen Author.

rod of his anger] Wherewith he whipt others, verse 8 his underlings.

scorner] Psal. verse 10 CI. 5. That takes and turnes every thing to the worst.

loveth] Affects, verse 11 though he can never effect it.

strange women] Chap. verse 14 II 16. and V. 3 and VII. 5, 27. and chap. XXIII. 27, 28. Eccles. VII. 26.

of a childe] Chap. verse 15 XIII. 24. and XIX. 18. and XXIII. 13. and VI. 23. and XXIX. 15, 17.

giveth to the rich] With a minde to get more then he gave; verse 16 and by his countenance to colour and cover his oppressive practises, and p. 292scape with them: by such briberie he shall not thrive.

Bow down] Here seemes to begin some alteration of stile and method; verse 17 He seemes to assume a new kinde of bespeaking his sonne, differing from that in the twelve preceding Chapters; and much like that in the nine first. Wherein the several documents and instructions are prosecuted in more verses then one.

a pleasant thing] Psal. XIX. 11. verse 18 and CXIX. 103. more pleasant then all the tastlesse fooleries of this present world.

fitted] Whereby to get a singular dexterity and volubility in holy language, Matth. XII. 24.

thy trust] Ephes. I. 13. verse 19

even to thee.] We must read the Scripture, as men do Statute-books, holding themselves as much concerned therein, as any others; binding themselves in every precept, threatning themselves in every threat, blessing themselves in every promise. For these are verba vivenda, non legenda.

excellent things] Princely things; verse 20 rare and royal sentences, chap. VIII. 6.

the certaintie] Col. II. 2. verse 21 2 Cor. IV. 13.

Rob not] By might, verse 22 as the greater fish devour the lesser; nor yet by false judgments, Zech. VII. 10.

plead] Without fee, verse 23 for they come forma pauperis, chap. XXIII. 11. Job XXI. 21.

spoile] Pay them in their kinde, chiefly when the cold grave shall hold their bodies, and hot hell hold their souls.

angrie man] Anger is a short madnesse. verse 24 He rageth, and casteth fire-brands, Fit to live alone, as dragons, and wilde beasts; to be looked on only as through a grate, chap. XV. 18. and XXVI. 21. and XXIX. 22.

lest] Sinne is as a leprosie, and infectious plague.

land-mark] Deut. XXVII. 17. verse 28 and chap. XIX. 14. and XXIII. 10.

diligent] Chap. XXVII. 23. verse 29 Ezra. VI. 13. and VII. 26. Gen. XLI. 39, 40, 46. and chap. XLVII. 6. 1 Kings XI. 28.

to eate] feed not without fear. chapter XXIII verse 1 Jude verse 12.

a knife] Bridle thy appetite. verse 2 Or, otherwise thou dost put a knife to thy throat, and diggest thy grave with thy teeth; for meat and the board, kils more then the musket, and the sword, Luke XXI. 34.

deceitful] An hook under that bait. verse 3

to be rich] 1 Tim. VI. 9, 10. verse 4 James III. 15. 1 John II. 15, 16, 17.

wilt thou] Cast a leering eye after such vanities? verse 5 and flie a fooles pitch?

is not] Hath no solid subsistence; though we call riches substance, 1 Cor. VII. 31. Earth is hanged upon nothing, as Job speaketh. And so all earthly things, Amos VI. 13. Esay XXVIII. 15.

eate thou not] A miserly fordid muckworme. verse 6

thinketh] Grudgeth at his guests: as one willing to starve even his own genius.

p. 293sweet words] Which he hath spoak to thee; verse 8 or rather thy chearful words at his table.

speak not] Chap. IX. 7, 8. verse 9 Matth. VII. 6.

land mark] Chap. XXII. 28. verse 10 Deut. XIX. 14. and XXVII. 17. Ovidius ad Deum Terminum, Omnis erit sine te litigiosus ager.

Plead] Chap. XXII. 23. verse 11 Job XXXI. 23. and XXVI. 14. Psal. XC. 11. Eccles. VI. 10. God is the great Master of the wards.

apply] Busie them about the best things. verse 12

withhold not correction] Chap. XIII. 24. verse 13 and Chap. XIX. 18. and chap. XXII. 25.

and shalt deliver] This a means for it. verse 14 And if it succeed not, yet thou hast done thy duty, and so shalt deliver thine own soul; and have thy reward. As the Phisitian hath his fee whether the Patient live, or die.

shall rejoyce] Chap. X. 1. verse 15 and chap. XV. 20. 3 John. 4. 1 Thes. III. 9.

envie sinners] Chap. XXIV. 1, 19. verse 17 and chap. III. 31. Psal. XXXVII. 1. and LXXIII. 3.

feare] This cures one of the fret.

all the day long] Waking, walking, and lying down in his fear; in continual communion with him, and conformity to him, ch. XXVIII. 14. 1 Pet. I. 17. Phil. II. 12. 2 Cor. VII. 11.

an end] Chap. X. 28. verse 18 An end of the sinners prosperitie, Job VIII. 13, 14. and chap. XI. 20. and XVIII. 14. Psal. CXII. 10. And an end and reward to those that fear God, Psal. XXXVII. 37, 38. and LVIII. 11.

Wine-bibbers] Verse 29,—35. verse 20 Rom. XIII. 13. Ephes. V. 18. Mat. XXIV. 49.

Buy the truth] Tit. I. 9. verse 23 Phil. I. 27. Iude 3. Either live with it, or die for it.

The father] Chap. X. 1. verse 24 and chap. XV. 20.

thy heart] This the seat of our affections, verse 26 and fountain of our actions, Mark VII. 21. Matth. XII. 34, 35. And therefore that care and caveat is given of it, Prov, IV. 23. And God so craveth, and wisheth it, Deut. V. 29. and complains of the want of it, Matth. XV. 8. yea, and deals, as Ioseph with his brethren concerning Benjamin, Gen. XLIII. 3. no seeing his face without it.

thine eyes] Look well to this patterne and copie, get a ful prospect, and fix and feed thine eyes hereupon.

a whore] Chap. XXII. 14. verse 27 See chap. V. 15.

who hath woe?] Chap. XX. 1. verse 29

mixt wine] Chap. IX. 2. Psal. LXXV. 8. verse 30

moveth] Sparkleth; verse 31 as the most generous wine useth to do.

strange women] Drunckennesse ushers in whordome. verse 33 Wine the milk of Venus; and strange things and sights, disturbing the braine. Et geminum Solem, & duplices consurgere Thebas.

midst of the Sea] Thy braines shall turne round; verse 34 thy self reel as a ship tossed at Sea, Psal. CVII. 27. Or, thy braines swim, as if at Sea; p. 294and so drunckenly dream as if thou wert at Sea. Or, be so stupid and senselesse in this druncken lethargie, as to be fearlesse and carelesse in the greatest danger whatsoever; and not refuse or forbear to sleep on the top of ma….

not sick] A druncken man, verse 35 we say, takes no hurt, feels no blows, no smart: is turned into a beast; yea, a block.

I will seek it yet again] Though they be sick with it, yet after their recoverie, and that fit past, they will to it again. For drunckennesse inflaming, increaseth thirst, Deut. XXIX. 19. and thirst drunckennesse; and so the drunckard irrecoverable!

to be with them] In their state, chapter XXIV verse 1 and at their stay. For this David befools, and bebeasts himself, Psal. LXXIII. 10, 22.

studieth] Great students, verse 2 to be wittily wicked.

lips] It blistereth out at their tongues end.

Through wisdome] Chap. III. 13, 19. verse 3

is strong] Chap. XXI. 22. verse 5

warre] Chap. XX. 18. verse 6 and chap. XV. 22. and chap. XI. 14.

too high] Chap. XIV. 6. verse 7 and chap. VIII. verse 9. and chap. IX. 1. Yet the highest and saving wisdome is too high for the wisest natural man, 1 Cor. II 14.

openeth not] He were two fools if he did.

deviseth] Is an Artist at any evil. verse 8

The thought] Chap. XIV. 22. verse 9 and chap. VI. 18. and chap. XII. 5. and chap. XV. 26. Esay LIX. 7. Jer. IV. 14.

If thou faint] Gen. XLIX. 23, 24. verse 10 Man hath no trial of his strength till he be in trouble.

If thou forbear] Psal. LXXXII. 4. verse 11 Esay LVIII. 6, 7. It being in thy power to deliver such innocent persons, Mark III. 4. Job XXIX. 17. and XXXI. 8, 9.

If thou sayest] Sinnes are not to seek for excuses. verse 12 But they availe not with God, Psal. XI. 4. Iob XXXIV. 22. Ier. XVII. 9, 10.

When thou hast found it] Experimental knowledge is the only true knowledge, verse 14 Heb. X. 34. Iosh. XXIII. 14. A literal notion of the brain comes short of it.

a reward] Psal XIX. 10, 11. and CXIX. 103. chap. XXIII. 18.

falleth] Into trouble. verse 16 It is not here meant of falling into sinne, Micah VII. 8.

and riseth] Iob V. 19. Psal. XXXIV. 19, 20. and XXXVII. 24. and XCI. 3. James. I. 2.

the wicked fall] As Nahum I. 9. into an Only evil, Ezek. VII. 5. Esther VI. 13. Job V. 12. Amos VIII. 14. Jer. XXV. 27. Esay XXIV. 20.

Rejoyce not] Chap. XVII. 5. verse 17 Job XXXI. 29. Psal. XXXV. 12, —16. Obad. 12. 2 Sam. I. 11, 12. Matth. V. 44. Rom. XII. 19.

thine enemie] But only so farre as Gods glory is concerned in it. And still pitie his person, Psal. LVIII. 10.

from him] To thee. verse 18

p. 295no reward] The pain of Losse. verse 20 And sure the tears of hell are not sufficient to bewail the losse of heaven.

fear] Who would not fear thee O King of Nations, verse 21 Ier. X. 7. And the King must be feared, 1 Pet. II. 1…. Rom. XIII. 3. under God, Acts IV. 19.

suddenly] When it comes; though delayed awhile, verse 22 Had Zimri peace that slew his master?

of them both] That fear not the Lord, and the King.

These things also belong to the wise] Concerne wise men to look unto. verse 23 Not that the sentences following were taken out of wise mens books, or sa…ings; after Solomon, and before the time of Ezechiah.

not good] Verie bad, foreign. The like is chap. X. 2. and chap. XX. 23. Psal. V. 5. 1 Cor. XVI. 22. Exod. XX. 7.

respect of persons] Chap. XVIII. 5. chap. XXVIII. 21. Levi. XIX. 25. Deut. I. 17. and XVI. 19.

Thou art righteous] Chap. XVII. 15. verse 24 Esay V. 23. Exod. XXIII. 7.

that rebuke him] Job XXIX. 11,—17. verse 25

a good blessing] Of every good man.

Kisse] Gen. XLI. 40. verse 26 Shall do him honour, Psal. II, 11.

afterwards build thine house] First be sure of the means how to compasse it, verse 27 Luke XIV. 28,—33. Do things of necessity first; after, of accommodation.

without cause] Without a calling; verse 28 or, against thine own conscience.

deceive not] To bolster out a bad cause, or out-face a good; or, ot entise another, to suborne him to be a false witnesse.

Say not] Chap. XX. 22. verse 29 Rom. XII. 17. 1 Thes. V. 15. 1 Pet. III. 9. Matth. V. 39. Rom. XII. 17. This is to wring the sword out of Gods had, Rom. XII. 19.

sloathful] See on Chap. VI. 6. verse 30

received instruction] A Bee can suck honie out of a flower, verse 32 which a Flie cannot. A spiritual man can extract good out of other mens faults and follies; can gather grapes of thornes, and figs of thistles. The worse others are, the better we should be, saving our selves from an untoward generation; and redeeming the time because the dayes are evil.

yet a little sleep] Little, verse 33 and yet sleeps, plutaly in the Original. A little he asks, but a little will not serve his turne. Thus he personates the sluggard speaking.

povertie] The beggar shall catch him by the back, verse 34 swiftly, and irresistibly.

These] Here begins a new Collection of Proverbs, chapter XXV verse 1 long after Solomons time; which some choice men of King Hezekiah; likely by his appointment, Copied out of some of Solomons writtings then extant; or out of publike Records, Registers, and Commentaries, wherein for their worth and wisdome they were inserted. And in these Solomon p. 296most-what intreateth of higher matters, of State businesse, of Regal and Civil administrations.

to conceal] Such as are, verse 2 the Union of three Persons into one Nature; and of two Natures into one Person: his wonderful Decrees, and the no lesse wonderful Execution of them, &c. Rom. XI. 33. Deut. XXIX. 29.

to search out] Chap. XVI. 10. Job XXIX. 16. 1 Kings III. 24, 27.

unsearchable.] verse 3 As the two former, Jer. XXXI. 37. profundum sine fundo Jer. XVII. 9. 1 King. IV. 29. Much more unsearchable are the deep and hidden wayes of God; Rom. XI. 33, 34. we must adore them, when we cannot comprehend them. Neither must the subject think to attain to the depth of all the secret reasons and doings of a King, even when he is upright, and doth his dutie.

wicked from] Chap. XX. 8. verse 5 Evil Counsellers about a King are great means of much mischief; as Human, Doeg, Rehoboams young Counsellers, Psal. CI. 4.

Put not forth] This is for modestie, verse 6 and against ambition; which useth to ride without rains. Wait rather on Gods pleasure and leasure for thy promotion. Psal. LXXV. 5,—8.

better it is] Luke XIV. 10. verse 7

hastily] Hastie men never want woe, verse 8 Eccles. V. 2. chap. XXIX. 20. He soone shoots his fools bolt.

Debate thy cause] Matth. V. 25. verse 9 and XVIII. 15.

discover not] Specialy out of a revengeful minde; no nor thy friends secret. All wise men will abhorre such a one, as not to be trusted, but to be deemed as a tale bearer, or backbiter rather.

fitly spoken] Chap. XV. 23. verse 11 Esay L. 4. Job VI. 25. Eccles. XII. 10. as apples of gold put in cases of silver cut-work, with curious inlayings and interlacings.

a wise reprover] Chap. IX. 9. verse 12 Touch some never so gently, yet like the nettle, it will sting you. Exod. II. 14. Prov. XIII. 18. But an obedient eare deserves such earings of gold, as diamonds in a diademe; as wel as the wise reprover, that rightly orders and circumstantiates his words.

messenger] Verse 25. verse 13 and chap. XIII. 17. His speed and trustiness revives and refresheth the longing and languishing minds of them that sent him, Job XXXIII. 23.

of a false gift] As the Devil, verse 14 who promised Christ excelsa in excelsis, mountains on a mountain, Matth. IV. 9. Such are like clouds, &c. Jude verse 12.

By long forbearing] Chap. XV. 1. verse 15 and chap. XVI. 14. Gen. XXXII. 4. 1 Sam. XXV. 24. Judg. VIII. 1, 2, 3. And thus not ministring occasion to provoke him further. Though it self be flesh, yet thus it breaketh the bone.

sufficieut] Philosophandum, sed paueis. verse 16 We must not overdo a busines.

and vomit it] By excesse the sweetest comforts will be dissweetned, grow sower and loathsome, 1 Cor. VII. 29. We must hang loose, and p. 297be weanedly affected towards all creature comforts.

withdraw] Let thy foot be rare, verse 17 and so precious there, 1 Sam. III. 1, overlay not thy neighbour, nor abuse his courtesie; take not too much of a free horse. Nulli te facias nimis sodalem.

false witnesse] Chap. XIX. 5. verse 18 Psal. XLII. 10. and LVII. 4. A sinne of a deep die, of a crimson colour.

Confidence in an unfaithful man] As was Achitophel to David. verse 19 Jobs miserable comforters, Job VI. 16, 17. There is faith to be kept with dogs, say the Turks; with Hereticks, say the Papists. David durst not trust Saul, 1 Sam. XXVII. 1. notwithstanding his fair speeches and promises, chap. XXVI. 17, 21. 25. Therefore trie well before we trust.

songs to an heavie heart.] verse 20 Musick and Mourning agree like Harp and Harrow; Ecclus. XXII. 6. Dan. VI. 18. Or, as some render and sense the words, musick drives away sorrow, 1 Sam. XVI. 24. 2 Kings III. 15.

Enemie be hungrie] Exod. XXIII. 4. verse 21 Matth. V. 44. Rom. XII. 20.

heap coals of fire] This seems to be related to, verse 22 if not cited, Rom. XII. 19, 20. And the words are commonly expounded and understood of heaping vengeance on thy enemies head, and blessing on thine own, Psal. CXL. 10. But this seemes a very uncharitable Exposition; but so savour of a vindictive policie; and not to suit with Solomons, or Pauls main scope, and charitable intention. And contrarie to that, chap. XX. 22. and chap. XXIV. 9. and to the tendencie of the text; And therefore these coals of fire thus heaped on the enemies head, may better be understood of his hearty repentance, kindled and burning in his head and heart, wherby his malice is melted, and himself grieved with burning and scalding sighs, that he hath been thine enemie, who hast been, and art so good as to desire and do him good, whiles he did thee evil: And thus the fire of love and charitie is kindled in his heart, and his evil overcome with thy goodnesse: as is in the Apostles Precept, and Exhortation annexed, Rom. XII. 21.

reward thee] Though he should not; nor be overcome by thy kindnesse and goodnesse.

a backbiting tongue] Brow-beat it. verse 23 The tale-hearer is blamable, as well at the tale-bearer. And he that loves a lie, as he that makes it, Apoc. XXII. 15.

good newes] The more unexpected, verse 25 the more welcome. Eminently is this true of the newes of salvation from heaven.

falling down] By infirmity, verse 26 yeelding to him by timorousnesse in an evil thing; or otherwise falling under his reproof for sinniug, he is prejudiced and disgraced thereby; he is as a troubled fountain. Or, to fall down before him by any calamity, is a thing to be grieved at by all, as at a publick mischief.

their own glorie] It is not glorie, verse 27 but vain-glorie Gal. V. 26. Iohn V. 44. and chap. XII. 43. Gloria fugientem sequitur.

no rule over] Chap. XVI. 32. verse 28 that reigns not in, his unruly affections.

p. 298so honour] Dignitie should wait upon desert. chapter XXVI verse 1 Psal. XII. 8. The contrarie is of very evil consequences many wayes.

the curse causelesse] As the Popes Excommunications, verse 2 and Execrations with Bell, Book, and Candle, Psal. CIX. 28. Such Cursers are cursed; the curse will fall upon the Cursers head.

for the fools back.] verse 3 Verse 4,—12. Chap. X. 13. chap. VII. 22. Psal. XXXII. 9. Much, and often is spoken of fools in this Book of Solomons wise Proverbs: to mark them out as rocks at Sea, that we might avoid shipwrack thereon. Shortly thus; That the Foole feedeth on foolishnesse; it is joy to him; he is full of words: delights that his heart may discover it self: uttereth all his minde; layeth open his folly: saith to every one that he is a fool: whereas, if he held his peace, he might be counted wise: his instruction is folly: Excellent speech becomes him not: honour is not seemely for him: The legs of the lame are not equal; and so is a parable in the mouth of fools. His eyes are in the ends of the earth; his heart at his left hand; he will be medling: he enters into contention, and his mouth calleth for stroaks, Job V. 2. A stone is heavie, and the sand weighty, yet his wrath is heavier then them both. And as a whip is for the horse, a bridle for the Asse, so a rod for the fools back: yet he trusts in his own heart: that though thou shouldest bray him in a Morter among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishnesse depart from him: But as a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool to his folly. He hath no delight in understanding; it is too high for him: though a price be put in his hand, to get wisdome, yet he hath no heart; he doth despise, doth hate knowledge and reproof: yea the thought of foolishnesse is sinne. He makes a mock of sinne; it is a sport to him to do mischief: And therefore saith Solomon, meddle not with him, or his companie. Answer him not according to his folly; unlesse it be shortly, to convince him; leave him, and go from his presence; for shame shall be his promotion; and destruction is near at hand, to wait upon him.

Answer not] Say nothing, verse 4 and you pay him to purpose. Esay XXXVI. 21. Jer. XXVIII. 11. John XIX. 9, 10. Luke XXIII. 9. Mark XV. 2, 3, 4, 5.

like him] As hot and as headlong as he: and so at length there will be never a wiser of the two, but both fools.

Not foolishly] As he speaks; verse 4, 5. or as soothing, humouring, or consenting to him therein: But in fit time and place, shortly, and soundly, to convince him.

Answer] Cast in somewhat that may sting him, verse 5 and stop his mouth.

lest] He took upon himself as a conqueror; clap his wings, and crow.

These seeming contradictions and contrarieties, by due distinction of times, and other incident circumstances, and considerations, are easily reconciled. So Matth. XII. 30.

fool] See on verse 3. verse 6,—12.

bindeth a stone in a sling] Whereby the undiscreet and foolish verse 8 p. 299slinger may do hurt to others; putting, as it were, a sword in a mad mans hand. Or, as others, As he that putteth a (precious) stone in an heap of stones; so, &c. Some make these heaps to be such, as into which every traveller passing by, out of superstition did cast a stone.

As a dog] 2 Pet. II. 22. verse 13,—16

The sloathful man] See on chap. VI. 6.

with strife] As Jehoshaphat; verse 17 and Ahaziah, in Ahabs, and his son Jehoram's case at Ramoth Gilead: and Josiah with Pharaoh-Necho, 1 Thes. IV. 11. 1 Tim. V. 13. Yet to be a Peace-maker is not to be this medler.

is like] Him that takes a Lion by the beard, or a Bear by the tooth, or thrusts his hand into a Wasps nest.

deceiveth his neighbour] Under colour of jest and sport, verse 18 Such mirth works much mischief; such jests and dry flouts are as dangerous as a sword in a mad mans hand, and handling, in his rage.

talebearer] Verse 22. verse 20 and chap. XVIII. 8. and chap. XVI 28. chap. XXV. 23. Levit. XIX. 16. James III. 6.

a contentious man] That loves to live in the fire, verse 21 Salamander-like.

Burning lips] Burning with pretended affection and hot love; verse 23 and so drawing a fair glove on a foul hand. See verse 24, 25, 26.

believe him not] Iohn II. 24. verse 25 David did not beleive Sauls fair promises. Psal. CXX. 2.

seven abominations] Many. As Verse 16. and XXIV. 16.

shewed] Detected sooner or later, verse 26 and detested of all.

diggeth] Chap. V. 22. verse 27 Psal. VII. 15, 16. and IX. 15. and X. 2. Eccles. X. 8.

a stone] As he that rolleth it up an hill.

A lying tongue] False love proves true hatred; verse 28 seeketh to do them more mischief whom he hath hurt before.

of to morrow] Iames IV. chapter XXVII verse 1 13, 14. Luke XII. 19, 20. Psal. XXX. 6. 9. Iudg. V. 28, 29, 30, 31. 1 Kings XX. 10, 20. No man knowes what is in the womb of to morrow, Matth. VI. 34.

Let another man praise] Against arrogant boasting, verse 2 and vaine-glorious praising of a mans self, 2 Cor. X. 18. Mat. VI. 1. Luke XVIII. 11, 12. Let our works, not our words, praise us; Prov. XXXI. 31. Ruth III. 11. 3 John 12. And God will provide that fame and praise shall attend vertue, as the shadow doth the body; yea, in the consciences of their enemies; as it was with David, in the heart, and mouth of Saul; and with Daniel; in the minde and affection of Darius, who yet was wrought upon to cast him into the den of Lions. Neverthelesse a man must stand in defence of his own innocencie, as David eftsoones did; and in such like cases may praise himself, 2 Cor. XI. 5, 6, 10, 16, 17, 18—33. and Chap. XII. 1, 11.

a fools wrath] See the Observations on chap. XXVI. 3. verse 3

envie?] Chap. XIV. 30. See the Observations there. verse 4 Or, jealouzie, chap. VI. 34, 35. See Deut. XXXII. 21. Gen. XXVI. 14. and XXX. 1. and XXXVII. 11. Gal. V. 21, 26. Iob V. 2. Prov. XIV. 30. Eccl. p. 300IV. 4. Matth. XXVII. 18. Tit. III. 3. Iames IV. 5. 1 Pet. II. 1. Acts XIII 45.

Open rebuke] Chap. XVII. 10. verse 5 and I. 30. and chap. XXVIII. 23. Psal. CXLI. 5. Levit. XIX. 17. Much better is this then that love of Hira the Adullamite to Iudah, Gen. XXXVIII. 20. or of Jonadab to Ammon, 2 Sam. XIII. 5. This though unpleasing, is wholsome.

Faithful] They proceed from very faithfulnesse and friendship to us. verse 6

Kisses] As those of Joab, Absalom, Judas, &c. chap. XXVI. 23.

loatheth] But hunger is the best Cook, verse 7 and sawce. Apply it spiritualy. Num. XI. 6. Matth. V. 6.

wandereth] From his place and calling; verse 8 idle, or not content with his present station and condition.

sweetnesse of a mans friend] Psal. XLV. 8. verse 9 as a fresh gale of sweet aire; as sweet ointment, and odoriferous perfume: eminently true in the spiritual friend; Job XXXIII. 23. Psal. LV. 14. His sweet friendship comforts more then a mans own counsel can.

friend] Chap. XVII. 17. verse 10 and chap. XVIII. 24.

brothers house] Thy Carnal kindred will sooner fail thee; when thy old friend will stick to thee; as Jonathan did to David; Onesiphorus to Paul.

My sonne be wise] Chap. X. 1. verse 11 and chap. XV. 20. and chap. XXIII. 24. and XXIX. 3.

foreseeth] Chap. XXII. 3. verse 12 See the Explanations there.

rising early] Over-doing it, verse 14 as in voice, so in time; early, lest any other should be seene to exceed him. Thus praising him to his face, chap. XXIX. 5.

Iron sharpeneth] Specialy spiritualy. verse 17 Mal. III. 10, 17. Heb. X. 24. Acts XVIII. 5. A mutual quickening in dul and dead times, is Christian conference.

fig-tree, verse 18 shall eate] 1 Cor. IX. 7, 8.

Waiteth on his Master] As Joseph, Daniel, Mordecai, &c. 1 Tim. VI. 1, 2. God will honour them; though some Masters do not; Col. III. 22, 23, 24.

in water face] A man in himself, verse 19 as in a glasse, may see the state, temper, conditions, qualities, dispositions, of another; of what kinde soever; or sorely and shrewdly guesse at them.

Hell] So the lusts and desires of men are never satisfied, verse 20 Eccles. I. 8. and chap. V. 10.

so is a man to his praise] Chap. XVII. 3. verse 21 His own worth proves his praise; and purifies it too. Yea, and a man may be known what he is by them by whom he is praised.

the state of thy flock] Oversee them, verse 23 as Boaz did; Ruth II. 4. and chap. III. 2, 7. 1 Chron. XXVII. 25,—31. And 1 Kings IV. 6, 7, 27, 28. 2 Chron. XXVI. 10. The profit and commodities of this careful husbandrie, and thrift, are set down in the verses following.

The wicked flee] Being hotly haunted, chapter XXVIII verse 1 hunted, and pursued by p. 301the blood-hounds, and furies of their own guilty consciences. So Gen. IV. 14. Levit. XXVI. 17, 36, 37. God caused the Canaanites to flee, Josh. XXIV. 12. And the Syrians, 2 Kings VII. 7.

bold as a lion] As Noah, mediis tranquillus in undis: si fractus illabatur orbis, impavidum ferient ruinae. Such is their privie-armour of proof, the power of the Spirit, and spiritual graces within them, Heb. XI. 33, 34. Ephes. VI. 16.

Many are the Princes] Either as Competitors, verse 2 or intruders; entring, and endling in blood. As in the History of the Kings of Israel, and in many others, frequently appears. See Esay III. 4. Hos. XIII. 11. 1 Sam. XII. 25.

a man of understanding] Job XXII. 30. 2 Sam. XX. 16. Eccles. IX. 13, 14, 15. Jer. V. 1.

A poor man] As that mercilesse fellow-servant, verse 3 Matth. XVIII. 28. He should rather pitie such, as knowing in himself the miserie of povertie, then oppresse them, and rob the Hospital and Spittle.

Praise the wicked] As birds of a feather keep together. verse 4 Like will to like. They swim in one streame, and tyde.

contend with them] Chap. XXIX. 277. Psal. CXXXIX. 21, 22. and LXIX. 9. and CXIX. 158. 1 Pet. IV. 4. 2 Chron XIX. 2. He hates sinne as hell. There is an antipathy between the forsakes and keepers of the Law.

understand not] Their wits work not that way, verse 5 1 John II. 4, 20, 27. 1 Cor. II. 14, 15. Esay I. 3.

Usurie] See the Annotations on Ezek. XVIII. 8. verse 8 See also Nehem. V. 7, 10. Ezek. XXII. 12. And see that Matth. XXV. 27.

for him] Chap. XIII. 22. Job XXVII. 17. Eccles. II. 26.

even his Prayer] Chap. XV. 8. verse 9 and I. 28. Jer. XI. 11. and XIV. 2. Zech. VII. 12, 13. John 9. 31.

to go astray] Chap. XXVI. 27. verse 10 Matth. XV. 14. He shall be catcht in his own trap.

upright] 2 Pet. III. 17. and 1 Pet. I. 5.

in his own conceipt] A very small winde will blow up a bubble, verse 11 Chap. XIV. 12. and Chap. XVI. 2, 25. and Chap. XXI. 2. See the Explanations on those texts. This rich man here thanks his wit for his wealth; he sacrificeth to his own net, 1 Tim. VI. 17.

great glorie] Verse 28. verse 12 Chap. XI. 10. and Chap. XXIX. 2. Their joy carries publick and eminent good in the mouth of it, as the Cause of it: and so bespeaks a common joy.

hidden] Keeps close, or flees. So Matth. II. 13. Apoc. XII. 14. And those worthies, of whom the world was not worthie, Heb. XI. 38.

covereth his sinnes] Psal. XXXII. 5. 1 verse 13 John I. 9, 10. Job. XXXI. 33. Gen. III. 12, 13. Sinne and shifts came into the world together. But if not confession, sure confusion will follow upon it. In the Court of Heaven, it is best to plead, Guilty. 2 Sam. XXIV. 10.

and forsaketh] Many Papists use Confession, as drunkards use vomiting; not to forsake sinne, but that they may adde drunkennesse to thirst.

p. 302hardeneth his heart] Esay LXIII. 17. Psal. XCV. 8. Heb. III. 8, 15. and IV. 7. verse 14 The dehortation in this case is urgent; the accusation dreadful; the sinne it self direful. As the heart; so the neck, and the face are said to be hardened, made stiffe not to hear, harder then a rock. God is said to harden the hearts of Pharaoh, and sundrie others: And that whom he will he hardeneth, Rom. IX. 18. But how he doth this, see in the Observations on Esay VI. 9, 10.

fall] Into ruine, without remedie.

a wicked ruler] As a Lion, verse 15 and Bear, Zeph. III. 3. Micah III. 3, 11. Jer. LI. 34.

flee to the pit] Die without merciemercy, verse 17 Gen. IX. 6. Exod. XXI. 14. Deut. XIX. 13.

uprightly] Chap. X. 9. Psal. XXIII. 4. verse 18

perverse] Crooked, and doubling; can shift his saile to every wind, verse 6. chap. XIX. 1.

tilleth] Chap. XII. 11. verse 19 We must earne our bread ere we eate it.

haste to be rich] Verse 22. chap. XX. 21. 1. Tim. VI. 9, 10. verse 20

robbeth] As Micah rob'd his mother, verse 24 Judg. XVII. 1, 2. And Absalom did his father of his crown.

proud heart] Chap. XIII. 10. verse 25 through haughtinesse and ambition, thinking great thoughts of himself, and nothing too good for himself, not enduring to be crossed in the least, Esay II. 11, 12, 13.

trust in the Lord] 1 Tim. VI. 6. That which would break a proud mans heart, will not break an humble mans sleep.

giveth] Chap. XIX. 17. verse 27 See there Chap. XXII. 9. and chap. XXIX. 7. 2 Cor. IX. 6, 7. Deut. XV. 8, 10. Matth. V. 42. and chap. X. 42. Luke VI. 35. Esay LVIII. 7. Eccles. XI. 1, 2. Job XXIX. 16. and Ch. XXXI. 16,—20.

hardeneth his neck] Esay XLVIII. chapter XXIX verse 1 4. Jer. VII. 26. and chap. XVII. 23. Neh. IX. 16, 17. Acts VII. 51. There is much complaint of it; and exhortation against it.

Without remedie] 2 Chron. XXXVI. 13, 16. Remedilesse sinning brings remedilesse destruction. Gods wrath shall shatter into shivers, Esay XXX. 13, 14. such a sinner as will needs stand and stout it out with him.

a snare] That strangles his joy, verse 6 checks and choaks all his comforts; that his jollitie is but the counterfeit, and hypocrisie, the mask of mirth, chap. V. 22. and XIV. 13. Eccles. VII. 6. Guilt within makes his heart ake and quake, when his face and forehead faines a smile.

righteous sing] Righteousnesse carries joy and comfort in its own mouth, in the deed-doing; that peace, and joy, Phil. IV. 7. Rom. XV. 13. even in tribulations, chap. V. 3. 2 Cor. VII. 4.

scornful men] Being proud, verse 8 and contentious, bring mischiefs upon the stage, a Citie into a snare, set all on fire. But wise men, of a milder temper, turne away the wrath of God, and man, Job XXII. 30. Psal. CVI. 23. Exod. XXXII. 10. Gen. XVIII. 32.

whether he rage or laugh] He, the fool: or he, verse 9 the wise man; as some p. 303sense the words: there will be no quiet; and that through the fooles fault; he, as a foul stomack will turne good nourishment it self into vitious humours, Luke VII. 30.

The blood-thirsty hate] As being enemies to them, verse 10 and their bloodinesse.

his soul] The soul of the upright; yea, of his enemies.

all his minde] Hath no command of himself; verse 11 specialy when he is angry; yea, or in his foolish jollitie.

till] Due season, and occasion.

all his servants] They will be fit helves for such hatchets, verse 12 fit lettice for such lips; to humour them, and ingratiate themselves. They take their Rulers as Looking-glasses, wherein, and whereby they dress themselves.

wicked are multiplied] 1 Sam. XXIV. 13. verse 16 the sluce and flud-gate of transgression is then set loose; and of it self will make an inundation.

see their fall] Psal. LVIII. 10, 11. and Psal. XXXVII. 36. and XCI. 8.

no vision] As 1 Sam. III. 1. verse 18 2 Chron. XV. 3. Hos. IV. 6. Psal. LXXIV. 9. Matth. IX. 36. And so in time of Popery, when Preaching failed, and the Scripture was not read.

Keepeth] Doth not only hear, but practise, James I. 22. Luke XI. 28. John XIII. 17. So on chap. XIX. 16.

A servant will not] Some such there are, verse 19 Luke XII. 47. Exod. XXI. 20, 21, 26, 27. Ephes. VI. 5.

sonne at the length] And turne young master, verse 21 so ungratefuly abusing himself, and his masters goodnesse to him.

An angry man] See on chap. XXII. 24. verse 22

pride] Chap. XV. 33. verse 23 and XVIII. 12. Job XXII. 29. Luke XIV. 11. Matth. XXIII. 12.

partner] Chap. I. 10, 13, 14. Psal. L. 18. Apoc. XVIII. 4. Ephes. V. 7, 11. verse 24 and IV. 8.

fear of man] Apoc. XXI. 8. cowes a man both to sinnes, verse 25 and sufferings: where it prevailes above the fear of God. So even in Abraham, Peter, and others.

trusteth] Esay XXXIII. 15. and chap. XL. 30, 31.

the Rulers favour] Chap. XIX. 6.

from the Lord.] Who ruleth, verse 26 and over-ruleth the Ruler, chap. XXI. 1. and orders every mans state and condition of life.

This Chapter is not Solomons. chapter XXX But in this are the words of Agur, some man famous in his time for wisdome; his words unto his disciples, or friends, Ithiel, and Ucal; Or, here is a Comportation and Collection of Agurs wise sayings and Sentences: though none of all their names mentioned in the first verse, are found elsewhere in Scripture.

The words] Not of Solomon. verse 1 For his words end with the former Chapter.

of Agur] Not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. But seemes a p. 304man famous for wisdome, either in Solomons, or Hezekiah's time.

Prophesie] Or, instruction; for so largely is the word Prophesie many times taken. Or, Collectanies; gathered out of wise Agurs sayings, and proverbial sentences, then extant, or well-known; and here added to Solomons Proverbs, as being of like argument, and consorting with them.

Ithiel, and Ucal] Some take these names for Christ, for his goodnesse, and power. But with lesse straining, they rather seeme to be the names of Agurs schollers, or friends, here instructed by him.

more brutish] Agur begins in all humilitie, verse 2 so deeply abasing and vilifying, himself; knowing his losse by his fall in Adam; 1 Cor. II. 14. Psal. VII. 3, 22. Job XXXII. 8. and chap. XI. verse 12. That flesh and blood, in natures schoole, could not reveal saving mysteries unto him.

neither learned] Not of himself: but from God, verse 3 Gal. I. 1. James I. 17.

of the holy] Holy God; and holy Angels, Dan. IV. 13. and VIII. 13. or holy and heavenly things.

who hath ascended] The difficultie great; verse 4 the impossibility evident, to humane wisdome: who can, or hath done it, but the Sonne of man, John III. 13. And the Angels Ministers to him, John I. 51. No man hath seene God at any time: the only begotten Sonne, which is in the bosome of the Father, he hath declared him, John I. 18. and declared heaven, Rom. X. 6, 7. Heavenly wisdome by man of himself is not attainable, Job XXVIII. Chapter. See Esay XL. 12.

winde] Psal. CIV. 3. and CXXXV. 7. Matth. VIII. 26, 27.

waters] Job XXXVIII. 8,—11. Psal. CIV. 3, 6,—13. Esay XL. 12.

earth] I. Job XXXVIII. 4, 5, 6. Esay XL. 12.

what is his Name] Job XI. 7, 8, 9. Judg. XIII. 17, 18. Exod. III. 13, 14, 15. Matth. XI. 27. John VI. 46. Esay LIII. 8. The Sonne is like the Father, John XIV. 7, 8, 9. Heb. I. 3.

if thou cast [ None can.

word of God] Psal. XII. 6. verse 5 and XVIII. 30. and XIX. 8. and CXIX. 140.

sheild] Gen. XV. 1. 2 Sam. XXII. 31.

Adde thou not] Deut. IV. 2. Apoc. XXII. 18, 19. verse 6 Against the blasphemous speeches of Papists concerning Scripture: And their additions to it. So adding, as it were, to Gods will, and abasing his coyne.

Two things] Two special ones mentioned in the next verse. verse 7

deny me not] With importunitie he reinforceth and followeth his request, verse 7 so Psal. XXVII. 4. Gen. XXXII. 26. Luke XI. 8. Matth. XV. 23. She came for a cure, and a cure she would have. And God calls for, and delights in such importunities; that so he may abound in his bounteous grants unto us, John XVI. 24. He would have us smite five or six times, 2 Kings XIV. 18, 19. And he as Naaman would p. 305then force two talents upon us; grant above all we ask or think.

vanitie and lies.] Those lying vanities of sinne: verse 8 from the damning and domineering power and punishment of it; from the sting and staine, the crime and curse of it.

neither povertie, nor riches] Both are naturaly attended, encumbered, and burdened with many inconveniences. Yet sanctified both, to the childe of God. Mediocrite, a sufficiencie without superfluitie, is the estate that is most easily managed, Matth. VI. 11. 1 Tim. VI. 8.

Tuta me media vehat

Vita decurrens via.

Lest I be full] Deut. XXXII. 15. 1 Tim. VI. 17. And so, verse 9 as the Moon at the ful; then, and then only, suffer they the Eclipse of grace, by the interposition of the earth: and come to say, Pharaoh-like, Who is the Lord? as if they with their Mammon were pettie-gods, of, and within themselves.

or lest I be poor] Stealth upon necessitie, is lesse then adulterie, Prov. VI. 30. Yet a sinne alwayes, Exod. XX. 15. Ephes. IV. 28.

name of my God] This he grieves at more, then his own shame, burning in the hand, whipping, hanging.

Accuse not] Rom. XIV. 4. and II. 1. Matth. VII. 1. Eccles. VII. 21, 22. Tit. III. 1, 2, 3. verse 10

lest] The harme of the servants ill wishes fall upon thee.

Here begin his Quaternions, of some things Moral, verse 11 of some things Natural; yet intended for Moral use, which he pursueth six times over, in the rest of the Chapter.

that curseth their father] A cursed crew, a bastardly brood, verse 17. and chap. XX. 20. Levit. XX. 9. Exod. XXI. 17. Matth. XV. 4. Deut. XXI. 18,—21.

are pure] As the Puritanes, Novatians, Donatists, verse 12 Catharists of old, Matth. XIX. 20. Hos. XII. 8. Esay LXV. 5. Papists that pretend to works of Supererogation; And yet welter in wickednesse.

O how lofty] Chap. VI. 17. and chap. XVI. verse 13 5, 18. and chap. XXI. 4. Esay II. 11, 12, 17. and V. 15. and X. 33. Job XXXIII. 17. Ps. CI. 5.

whose teeth] Psal. LII. 4. and LVII. 4. Job XXIX. 17. verse 14

The horseleach] Hath two forks in her tongue, verse 15 whereby she first pricketh the flesh, and then sucketh the blood. Such is the covetous extortioner and oppressor of the poor.

never satisfied] No more then Pharaoh's leane kine.

with a maid] That yet pretends so to be: verse 19 as appears in the next verse: and that with impudencie enough. Incerta sunt virginis aut corruptae indicia.

for a servant when] Chap. XIX. 10. verse 22 Asperius nihil est humili cùm surgit in altum.

little] Deus est maximus in minimis. verse 24

exceeding wise] Job XII. 1.

The Ants] Chap. VI. 6, 7. verse 25

p. 306Conies] Psal. CIV. 18. verse 26

Locusts] Joel II. 4, 5, 7, 8. verse 27 Those Apoc. IX. 11. have their King Abaddon

Comely] A comlinesse of carriage belongs to us, verse 29 Phil. I. 27. So Neh. VI. 7.

No rising up] Eccles. VIII. 2, 4. verse 31

in lifting up thy self] Against the King, verse 32 verse 31. Eccles. VIII. 3. and chap. X. 20. Exod. XXII. 28. Or, in any evil matter; then stop and silence thy self: as Job XL. 4, 5. and chap. XLII. 6. and chap. XXI. 5.

so the forcing of wrath] Chap. XV. 1. Reiterated provocations extort strife. James III. 16. Patientia laesa furor fit. verse 33

Here are the words of Bathsheba, chapter XXXI the mother of Solomon; taught him likely when he was young, against the time wherein he should be King; And when he was King, recorded here, and registred by him. He is called here Lemuel, verse 1. And by his mother Lemoel, verse 4. as tender mothers do often use to make loving changes in their childrens names. And here she warnes him chiefly against women, though he made ill use of this warning; And against wine. And from the tenth verse, to the end, she elegantly describes the vertues of a worthy wife; as a patterne for his choise; beginning every verse thereof with a several letter of the Hebrew Alphabet in order.

Lemuel] Verse 4. Lemoel. verse 1 It seemes to signifie, of God. God had owned him, 2 Sam. VII. 14. and chosen him for King before any of his elder brethren. His mother thus stiles him; as mothers many times do frame affectionate titles with some smal variations, to insinuate with their children; she breaks off the first letter of his name, and adds in the end the name of God.

his mother taught him.] Lemuels lesson; taught him by Bathsheba; and if taught him haply being King; then upon his beginning to warp and wander. He was taught likewise by his father, ch. IV. 3, 4. Ps. CXXVII. and LXXII. Both which heighten his after-fall, as well as that 1 Kings XI. 9. These words and Prophetical documents may seeme to be penned down by Lemuel himself afterwards.

What my sonne] Passionate, verse 2 and affectionate words; a sweet schooling out of a fear and jealousie conceived, and a care had to prevent his miscarrying.

thy strength to women] Chap. verse 3 V. 9. Deut. XVII. 17.

to drink wine] Chap. XXIII. 29, 30. verse 4 Ephes. V. 18. Hos. VII. 5. Esay V. 11. Hab. II. 15, 16. Eccles. X. 16, 17.

Lest] One, verse 5 amongst many, of the mischiefs of drunkennesse, in Kings and Princes, chap. XXIII. 29,—35.

and wine to those] Jer. XVI. 7. verse 6 Good things well used. Hence, as some conceive, arose the custome of giving wine to such as were condemned to die; as Mark XV. 23. Whereunto some apply that of Amos II. 8.

and forget] Judg. verse 7 IX. 13. Psal. CIV. 15.

p. 307for the dumb] Chap. XXIV. 11, 12. verse 8 such as may not, or cannot speak for themselves, Iob XXIX. 15, 16. Ier. XXXVIII. 8, 9.

and plead] Levit. XIX. 15. Deut. I. 17. Psal. LXXII. 4. verse 9

a vertuous woman] Chap. XII. 4. 1 Cor. XI. 7. verse 10 Her praise is set forth all along to the end of this Chapter. And that methodicaly, beginning every verse with a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, as it stands in order. Such a woman as this is the female glorie, the wonder of woman-kinde; amiable, and admirable, as the paragon of the world. A faire patterne for Solomons choise in a wife. But a lesson ill learned by him, a worse practised. In this large Description, the whole Text needs not any Glosse.